Verizon's change in unlimited data plan

[tbonepitt]

As many news sources have indicated Verizon is set to eliminate the unlimited data plan in the next month or so.

Will this change allow current Verizon customers to get out of their contract without a penalty?

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/21/verizon-data-plan-changes_n_654481.html

Via Verizon (Customer Agreement)
Can Verizon Wireless Change This Agreement or My Service?

We may change prices or any other term of your Service or this agreement at any time,but we'll provide notice first, including written notice if you have Postpay Service. If you use your Service after the change takes effect, that means you're accepting the change. If you're a Postpay customer and a change to your Plan or this agreement has a material adverse effect on you, you can cancel the line of Service that has been affected within 60 days of receiving the notice with no early termination fee.

 

[wyzird]

What a terrible way to do business!!!

 

[Markdek]

What a terrible way to do business!!!

Verizon will likely grandfather existing customers, like ATT did, in order to prevent you from dropping your plan.....so don't count on an easy out from your contract...they're not stupid....

 

[Hiroshika]

Its the same thing as when they upgraded to their new feature phone - multimedia phone - smartphone policy where you HAVE to get the $10 25mb data pack for a multimedia phone. If you bought the phone before the plan went into effect, then you were safe from having to pay the fee, so long as you didnt upgrade or change your account in any way. Such as taking the phone off the line and putting it back on for whatever reason, then you would have to pay.

 

[Bswartz95]

So if we're grandfathered in, then I see no reason to accept their "new every two" and sign a new contract. It's only $50 anyway. To me, keeping my existing package of unlimited data is greater than signing a new contract for a $50 savings. I've checked my usage, and i've only exceeded 2 GB a few times, but I'd rather have flexibility.

That is, of course, if we're grandfathered in.

 

[tbonepitt]

So if we're grandfathered in, then I see no reason to accept their "new every two" and sign a new contract. It's only $50 anyway. To me, keeping my existing package of unlimited data is greater than signing a new contract for a $50 savings. I've checked my usage, and i've only exceeded 2 GB a few times, but I'd rather have flexibility.

That is, of course, if we're grandfathered in.

By being grandfathered, I believe you're referring to this statement.

If you use your Service after the change takes effect, that means you're accepting the change.

However, I imagine if you cancel before then you wouldn't be liable to pay the fees. As such, I'm not sure it's possible to actually do this since we don't know the exact date this will take effect. As you point out above, we'll automatically be grandfathered in.

 

[draconus]

Typically a cell company WILL NOT change your plan on you without your authorization. If you have an unlimited data plan and they do away with that plan, you WILL NOT LOOSE IT, until you make changes to your account that effect the plan. Which could very well be ANY plan changes.

You MAY even be able to get away with keeping it if you upgrade your phone, say to a newer android phone (ie same platform, just newer), but you make no other changes except the new 2-yr agreement.

When i worked at Sprint we had customers on plans that were 5+ years old. They've changed phones, usually to just a newer cheap phone, but never changed their plan. Just retacked a new 2-Yr agreement. I've done it and i've seen accounts like that. Again i'm not saying that's how Verizon does it, but it is, technically, possible and it's been done.

I'm actually glad of this, my wife doesn't use a lot of data bandwidth on her Droid Eris so a cheaper plan that fits in her usage range would be good for us financially.

 

[grvthang]

By being grandfathered, I believe you're referring to this statement.

If you use your Service after the change takes effect, that means you're accepting the change.

However, I imagine if you cancel before then you wouldn't be liable to pay the fees. As such, I'm not sure it's possible to actually do this since we don't know the exact date this will take effect. As you point out above, we'll automatically be grandfathered in.

I think it means that if you don't say anything, and you use your phone after the date the change goes into effect, you're allowing them to start charging you for usage under the new structure. That's not being 'grandfathered'; that's the opposite. I'm not an attorney, but it would seem to me that if the agreement says that they can change their fees at any time, they're not liable to have to 'grandfather' you. If anything, you may be able to get out without an early termination fee (and even that looks iffy).

 

[gospodinwizard]

I will say this as regards Verizon plans....I currently have a plan that is no longer offered and hasn't been in some time....and I have been allowed to keep it ad infinitum....

 

[jayochs]

I will say this as regards Verizon plans....I currently have a plan that is no longer offered and hasn't been in some time....and I have been allowed to keep it ad infinitum....

same. family share plan with 550 minutes. paying what 450 minutes used to cost, but got 100 free.

 

[SyDTRaKKeD]

i think they will grandfather everyone in... they certainly didn't make my stepdad change his plan when the began to offer the new Talk n Text plans for cheaper than their old Family plans...

 

[narddog]

this change is news to me. what source is distributing the info?

 

[Haxcid]

I subscribed to a 30 dollar a month unlimited plan. Any change to that is a breach of contract and I will have to issue them a 350 dollar fee.

 

[OfTheDamned]

No point getting concerned about it until it happens. People can speculate all they want, but we don't even know what the prices will be yet. Some could be paying a whole lot less than they are now.

 

[cmajpwc]

No point getting concerned about it until it happens. People can speculate all they want, but we don't even know what the prices will be yet. Some could be paying a whole lot less than they are now.

Like myself. I personally don't use too much data. Just weather/email/the occasional AIM usage. I wouldn't mind the cheaper data plan. I'm already considering having to switch back to my God-awful ENV3 because I'm getting close to not being able to afford the data plan... I hate being a college kid sometimes, it's incredibly hard to find work =/

 

[OfTheDamned]

Like myself. I personally don't use too much data. Just weather/email/the occasional AIM usage. I wouldn't mind the cheaper data plan. I'm already considering having to switch back to my God-awful ENV3 because I'm getting close to not being able to afford the data plan... I hate being a college kid sometimes, it's incredibly hard to find work =/

I'm actually on the opposite end of this one. I use a ton of data and the unlimited is definitely my friend.

EDIT: I just looked and I am showing that as of 7/21/10 @ 4:09 PM I've used 2529435 Kb which I believe translates to 2.4 Gb since the 16th of this month. That is about 494 MB a day. The really sad part is that I used the MyVerizon app to look that up, so that is just more data.

 

[MOS95B]

I will say this as regards Verizon plans....I currently have a plan that is no longer offered and hasn't been in some time....and I have been allowed to keep it ad infinitum....

I was too, before I switched to a smart phone. Had a 400 minute el-cheapo plan for almost 10 years, including new every two's. They never even blinked when I extended it for the new every two discounts several times

 

[cc4525]

As many news sources have indicated Verizon is set to eliminate the unlimited data plan in the next month or so.

Will this change allow current Verizon customers to get out of their contract without a penalty?

Source: Verizon To Kill Unlimited Data Plan This Month?

Via Verizon (Customer Agreement)
Can Verizon Wireless Change This Agreement or My Service?

We may change prices or any other term of your Service or this agreement at any time,but we'll provide notice first, including written notice if you have Postpay Service. If you use your Service after the change takes effect, that means you're accepting the change. If you're a Postpay customer and a change to your Plan or this agreement has a material adverse effect on you, you can cancel the line of Service that has been affected within 60 days of receiving the notice with no early termination fee.

Well ..as I was reading this post..my hubby came home from work..I was telling him about the data changes and told him I didnt see anything about it in the mail..or on or bill..then he said oh ya..we got a letter about that...i asked when.. he said a month or so ago...He probably didnt read it cause he was not too concerned...he said he saw that it said we would be grandfathered in for the rest of our contract..he is telling me that it said at the end of our contract ..we will be required to switch over to one of their new plans..(he cant produce the letter..so I am not really believing the latter part..ive never been demanded to change plans at the end of any contract..)..anyway..for those of you that have skills in the sh**talk department..dont worry...there has never been a time that I have been denied anything from them..some things easy..some things a little harder..but the results will always be in your favor..lol...I had just recieved my first smartphone 2 years ago..(blackberry curve)..I was so excited..then.. i saw droid ads everywhere..I wanted a droid so bad..but how was I to get one when I still had a ways to go for an upgrade..well first..mt trackball just "fell out" and the store had none in stock..so they just replaced it..damn..so a week later my berry was locking up on me at random times...The girl in the store was skeptical..so she said lets just sit here for a while and see if it happens here...nothing happened..so..I had to call customer service when I got home to complain about how an employee made me feel so belittled,and I could not believe that she would accuse me of something so absurd..(i loved my blackberry..why would I want anything else)..so i was then mailed yet another replacement..crap..ok a few months after that it really was getting slow..and restarted on its own..i called them to say..I am tired of having to wait for a replacement phone in the mail and not being able to use my phone..I do not want a replacement..I want a phone that actually works!!!lol the other berrys were too expensive..so...damn..I got an eris...anyway..i rooted it..then the stupid OTA update came thru and I was stuck..I just had to root..well..somehow..I walked out of the Verizon store the day of the new update..with another eris...updating as I was walking to my car..lol..not that Im that good..but Verizon is that scared to lose a customer...(there was a moral to my story..haha)..I was actually thinking about trying to get an incredible or a moto droid this week..because of issues with the last update..and since eris is discontinued..i was sure i could do it..now im worried that they will..and ill be stuck with a huge bill from data..or..I wont get to enjoy new phone cause im scared to use data...lmao

 

[gospodinwizard]

Interesting about running into a potential limit when switching to a smartphone. I have a family plan with 5 lines and when I got my Eris I was able to keep my plan by making another line on the account the primary line. When I got my wife her smart phone I simply made another line the primary line. Originally Verizon insisted that since my line was primary and I was switching to a smart phone I would HAVE to change my plan. In the end it was their suggestion to change the primary line which suited me fine since I have 3200 minutes (3000 + 200 for complaints) and get a 20% discount on my service through my employer.

 

[ACD168]

Well ..as I was reading this post..my hubby came home from work..I was telling him about the data changes and told him I didnt see anything about it in the mail..or on or bill..then he said oh ya..we got a letter about that...i asked when.. he said a month or so ago...He probably didnt read it cause he was not too concerned...he said he saw that it said we would be grandfathered in for the rest of our contract..he is telling me that it said at the end of our contract ..we will be required to switch over to one of their new plans..(he cant produce the letter..so I am not really believing the latter part..ive never been demanded to change plans at the end of any contract..)..anyway..for those of you that have skills in the sh**talk department..dont worry...there has never been a time that I have been denied anything from them..some things easy..some things a little harder..but the results will always be in your favor..lol...I had just recieved my first smartphone 2 years ago..(blackberry curve)..I was so excited..then.. i saw droid ads everywhere..I wanted a droid so bad..but how was I to get one when I still had a ways to go for an upgrade..well first..mt trackball just "fell out" and the store had none in stock..so they just replaced it..damn..so a week later my berry was locking up on me at random times...The girl in the store was skeptical..so she said lets just sit here for a while and see if it happens here...nothing happened..so..I had to call customer service when I got home to complain about how an employee made me feel so belittled,and I could not believe that she would accuse me of something so absurd..(i loved my blackberry..why would I want anything else)..so i was then mailed yet another replacement..crap..ok a few months after that it really was getting slow..and restarted on its own..i called them to say..I am tired of having to wait for a replacement phone in the mail and not being able to use my phone..I do not want a replacement..I want a phone that actually works!!!lol the other berrys were too expensive..so...damn..I got an eris...anyway..i rooted it..then the stupid OTA update came thru and I was stuck..I just had to root..well..somehow..I walked out of the Verizon store the day of the new update..with another eris...updating as I was walking to my car..lol..not that Im that good..but Verizon is that scared to lose a customer...(there was a moral to my story..haha)..I was actually thinking about trying to get an incredible or a moto droid this week..because of issues with the last update..and since eris is discontinued..i was sure i could do it..now im worried that they will..and ill be stuck with a huge bill from data..or..I wont get to enjoy new phone cause im scared to use data...lmao

Verizon upgraded me to a brand new Incredible on 7/13. wil be shipped by 8/3. eveyrthing free of charge and got to keep and sell my old eris. hells yea

 

[ndsustudent]

Legally, Verizon has every right to change the terms of the contract you signed HOWEVER if you continue to use it afterwards for 30-60 days that in itself means that you have had enough time to look at the bill and see the changes and accept it. If you do not accept it you are legally allowed to cancel your contract WITH NO PENALTIES and sign a different one.

Again, your continued use effectivley gives verizon your seal of approval for the changes.

I am a law student and I just went through this with AT&T around march.

 

[grvthang]

Verizon upgraded me to a brand new Incredible on 7/13. wil be shipped by 8/3. eveyrthing free of charge and got to keep and sell my old eris. hells yea

Were you due for an upgrade? For how long did you have the Eris? I would like to get an Incredible, but I got an Eris in December on an early upgrade; I doubt they would do that for me now.